Victor Wembanyama’s new deal just sharpened the spotlight on Chet Holmgren.
The Spurs star agreed to a $252 million extension on Saturday, choosing a max extension rather than a supermax and saving San Antonio about $50 million over the next five years. The move landed as a surprise to plenty of people, and for the Thunder it only deepened an already uncomfortable comparison.
Holmgren’s run against Wembanyama in the past Conference Finals did him no favors. He was overwhelmed in almost every phase, and it got especially rough in Game 7, when he took only two shots in what looked like a vanishing act. That series didn’t just expose a bad matchup - it raised bigger questions about Holmgren’s long-term fit.
The contract numbers make the conversation even harder to avoid. Wembanyama’s extension begins in the 2027-28 season at $43.5 million.
Holmgren will be at $44.8 million in that same year. So Oklahoma City is looking at nearly identical price tags for two players who are viewed very differently around the league.
One is widely seen as a top-five player. The other is still searching for the position where he can be most effective.
Holmgren’s issues at center have been discussed well beyond the Western Conference Finals, too. Even during the previous season, when the Thunder won the NBA Finals, coach Mark Daigneault turned to guard Alex Caruso on Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic for long stretches of the seven-game second-round series. Holmgren, meanwhile, was repeatedly pushed around by the bigger center.
That’s the bind for Oklahoma City. Holmgren doesn’t look big enough to handle fives, but there are also questions about whether he has the agility and outside shooting to live full time on the perimeter. Wembanyama’s rise only pours more fuel on that debate.
The two have been linked for years, with a playing history that goes back to 2021. They also share similar builds and, at least on paper, similar skill sets. But the gap in impact is what makes this such a problem for the Thunder.
With Wembanyama now on a contract that looks awfully close to Holmgren’s, Oklahoma City has a tougher time explaining why its own big man should be treated as untouchable. As Holmgren’s salary climbs starting in 2026-27, the pressure will only grow on Sam Presti and the Thunder to decide whether keeping him is worth the cost.
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Gonzagas Vegas Opener Just Became A Real Early Test
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For Gonzaga, the timing makes the opener especially interesting after the abrupt departure of Mario Saint-Supery helped push the Bulldogs down in some early Top 25 polls. They are still favored in the first game, but the path beyond it is anything but soft, with a chance to run into one of several heavyweight opponents as the tournament moves toward the championship game on Nov. 28 at Michelob Ultra Arena. Last years trip ended with a loss in the title game, so this one already feels like a chance to answer a few questions early. [Read more 🡒]